SAAB

Svenska Aeroplan AB founded at Trollhattan 1937 to make military aircraft: amalgamated 1939 with Aircraft Division of Svenska Jarnvagsverkstadema rolling stock factory at Linkoping; renamed Saab Aktiebolag May 1965; merged with Scania-Vabis 1968 to combine automotive interests; Malmo Flygindustri acquired 1968. Bid for Celsius AB 16 November 1999 and acquisition completed 8 March 2000; enlarged company reorganised in 2000 into six main business areas and several independent operations:Saab Aerospace: Combining military aircraft, future aerospace systems and commercial programmes. Described in further detail.Saab Aviation Services: Commercial aircraft maintenance and engine and component maintenance. Comprises Celsius Aviation Services, Saab Aircraft and Saab Aircraft Leasing; holds type certificates for Saab 340 and Saab 2000 regional turboprop airliners, production of which ended in 1999.Saab Systems and Electronics: Electronic warfare, simulation and training and radar control, including Combitech Systems and Ericsson Saab Avionics.Saab Bofors Dynamics: Missiles, anti-armour and underwater systems.Saab Technical Support and Services: Including aircraft maintenance.Saab Ericsson Space: Digital, microwave and mechanical products. It was announced on 30 April 1998 that Saab's owner, Investor AB, had approved the sale to British Aerospace plc (now BAE Systems) of a 35 per cent voting shareholding. Investor remains Saab's leading owner, with 36 per cent of the votes and 20 per cent of the capital. Purchase rights to the remaining 29 per cent of votes and 45 per cent of capital continue to be offered to Investor shareholders. More than 4,000 military and commercial aircraft delivered since 1940: has held dealership for MD Helicopters (formerly Schweizer/Hughes, McDonnell Douglas and Boeing) products in Scandinavia and Finland since 1962. In September 2000, Saab announced entry into design of UAVs, in conjunction with Swedish Defence MaterielAdministration and other local industries. On 14July 2003, Saab's Aerospace division was restructured into two business units and a support organisation:Saab Aerosystems: Operating areas include defence market, including Gripen, advanced air combat systems such as UAVs, and subsystems for other aircraft. Main activity of Aerosystems is development and production of Gripen multirole fighter.Aerostructures: Work includes floor assemblies, pylons and landing gear doors for the Airbus A340-500/600 series and components for A320. Saab also partner in A380 and A400M programmes. Builds A380 wing panels (first mid- and outer leading-edge delivered 24 April 2003); crew doors and wingtip panels for Boeing 737; and wing components for Boeing 777. Developing new tactical system for NH90 helicopter under contract placed in early 2002. Saab group sales include 40 per cent exports and are 70 per cent defence-related. Responsible for fuselage and structural components manufacture for Gripen, Airbus, Boeing, helicopters and other aircraft.Saab Support: Group services for business units at Linkoping, co-ordinated with other sites. Original Industrigruppen JAS AB (JAS Industry Group) formed 1981 to represent (then) Saab-Scania (65 per cent share), Ericsson (16 per cent), Volvo Flygmotor (15 per cent) and FFV Aerotech (4 per cent) in JAS 39 Gripen programme; continues to act as contractor for Forsvarets Materielverk (Defence Materiel Administration, FMV) and co-ordinated JAS 39 Griprn programme within Sweden. Volvo Flygmotor became Volvo Aero in 1994 and FFV Aerotech share passed to Celsius in 1990 through merger with Bofors. Employees of Saab Aerospace totalled 4,120 in 2001. International marketing of JAS 39 Gripen is now responsibility of Saab and BAE Systems, acting jointly since November 1995; current members of JAS Industry Group are subcontractors. Workshare on export orders would be Saab 55 per cent/ BAE 45 per cent under agreement sigued 12 June 1995. BAE involvement also includes manufacture of main landing gear, the first of which was delivered from the Brough factory in April 1996 and incorporated in 49th production Gripen. From May 1999, BAE also responsible for assembly of wing attachment unit and associated component join-up for two-seat aircraft (single-seaters to follow). UK and Swedish export guarantee departments signed an agreement in August 1996 to finance any third-party sales. A contract of 16 November 1995 provides for Danubian Aircraft Company of Hungary to manufacture Gripen components at Tokol as part of a wider Swedish-Hungarian defence information exchange agreement signed 18 December 1995. First Hungarian parts (tailcone fittings) delivered April 1996. Further Swedish-Hungarian agreement of 22 January 1997 provided for comprehensive industrial offsets in the event of a Gripen purchase. First South African parts - Denel-built assembly set for stores pylon - handed over April 2000. Contract awarded to Denel in March 2001 for manufacture of section of centre fuselage for 40 Lot 3 Gripens, plus 28 for SAAF aircraft. Polish part manufacture (metal subassemblies) began July 2000 at PZL (Polish Aircraft Factory).